Are all cultures or sub-cultures inherently equal? Could one culture be better than another? It would be by definition ethnocentric to say our culture is the best, regardless of the label ethnocentric or not I still assert that American values by and large are superior. So just like most of the world’s inhabitants I feel that most of the time the way we do things here in our country is the right way. What’s the right way then? How would we measure better, worse and best? If we are to think culture is good when that culture dictates manners and traditions that make us feel comfortable then our judgments are entirely arbitrary; solely a matter of personal opinion. However, culture modifies so much more than just manners. Culture dictates what language we think in, what we value and how we express our values. Heterogeneous priorities fill every society to be sure, but while we account for varieties from person to person and sub-culture to sub-culture the collective group inevitably holds fundamental commonalities that differ from one people to another. When faced with the same hardships some societies thrive while others fail. Are we to believe that societal outcomes are solely determined by geography? Or solely historical circumstances and genetics? Wouldn’t a superior culture be the culture that is more effective and capable of adaptation? What would make one culture more effective than another I argue; would be it’s priorities.
Just as people differ when prioritizing things as security, nutrition, exercise, education and how spicy or sweet they like their food. Cultural values vary widely as well. Many cultural practices are pragmatic, some are just superstitious, some quaint and outdated, some are innocuous, many are pernicious and a select few are advantageous. Inevitably flawed; just like the people from which cultures are comprised of, cultures are always a mixture of strengths and weaknesses.